By Alex Ababio
Malawi — Over 250 delegates gathered in Mangochi for the inaugural Malawi Health Promotion Conference, a landmark event that has set a new benchmark in the nation’s efforts to communicate health effectively, transform lives, and influence positive behavioural change.
Held under the theme “Communicating Health; Changing Behaviours, Transforming Lives,” the conference brought together government leaders, academics, civil society actors, development partners, and grassroots community members for two days of dialogue, learning, and strategizing.
A Historic Moment for Health Advancement
“Today, we are not just attending a conference—we are making history, and laying a foundation for future collaboration, innovation, and progress,” Bertha Sato ,
Chairperson of the Organizing Committee and a Global Health Specialist declared.
She emphasized that health promotion goes far beyond public information campaigns or health education. Instead, it is a dynamic, cross-cutting function that spans the full continuum of healthcare: from prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to rehabilitation and even palliative care.
“That is why this conference is not just an event; it is a platform for growth (life transformation). A platform to learn, share, connect, and most importantly, to contribute to our national development agenda—Malawi 2063—and to Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all.”
A Space for Reflection, Learning, and Action
The conference was designed to create a rare opportunity for both Malawian citizens and international partners to learn from each other, challenge long-standing assumptions, reflect on national progress, and confront the health-related challenges facing the country today.
She stated: “These include the continued burden of communicable diseases like HIV, the silent plunder made by Neglected Tropical Diseases like schistosomiasis, the growing impact of non-communicable diseases, emerging health threats, the growing need for SRH (Sexual and Reproductive Health) services among our youths, and the increasingly limited funding for public health.”
A Call to Women and Girls: Step Into Leadership
In a heartfelt appeal, Sato urged women and girls across the nation to embrace leadership roles in health promotion.
“You are needed. And to every girl: You are capable. You belong. Own your health.”
Health Promotion as a National Imperative
The Honourable Minister of Health ,Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda,MP, urged Malawians and stakeholders to see health promotion not as a luxury, but as a strategic national investment critical to achieving Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development vision.
“Health promotion is not an expense—it is a strategic investment. Every kwacha spent on prevention saves many more on treatment and lost productivity,” the Minister emphasized.
From Disease Burden to Opportunity
Addressing delegates, the Minister acknowledged the numerous health challenges confronting Malawi, from infectious diseases like HIV, TB, malaria, and cholera, to the rising wave of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. Emerging health threats like M-Pox and persistent issues in maternal, newborn, and child health were also highlighted.
However, the Minister urged attendees to look beyond the difficulties.
“Within these challenges lie great opportunities—opportunities to educate, empower, and prevent,” she said. “Health promotion empowers individuals and communities to take charge of their well-being, extending beyond clinics into homes, schools, workplaces, and marketplaces.”
Communication is the Game Changer
In a strong reflection on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister cautioned against over-relying on knowledge alone to change health behaviors.
“As we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic, fear and misinformation often outweighed science. Knowledge alone is not enough,” she stressed. “This is where effective health communication makes all the difference. It must be clear, culturally sensitive, and rooted in trust.”
She called for communication strategies that actively engage communities: “We must listen, engage, and communicate in ways that resonate with our people.”
Real-Life Impacts of Health Promotion
The Minister shared successful examples of health promotion in action:
“When we engage traditional leaders in promoting antenatal care, maternal deaths decline. When community radios share hygiene messages, diarrhoeal diseases drop. When youth lead peer conversations, service uptake improves. These are the fruits of health promotion.”
A Vision Backed by Action
She outlined decisive steps already taken by the Ministry of Health to institutionalize health promotion:
Establishment of a National Division of Health Promotion to coordinate behavior change across sectors.
Integration of health promotion into school curricula, starting from early education.
Filling health promotion officer posts at all levels of the health system.
Embracing digital tools to enhance public access to health information.
Expanding training of Health Surveillance Assistants and Community Health Workers.
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration and partnerships.
A Call to Dream and Act Together
The Minister ended on an aspirational note, painting a picture of a healthier, empowered Malawi:
“I dream of a Malawi where no child dies from preventable causes like malaria, no person dies of manageable infections like HIV, where youth are informed, empowered, and drug-free, where sanitation and mental health are priorities,” she said.
“That Malawi is possible—and it begins here, with us. I invite you to dream with me, and then concurrently take action.”
WHO Pledges Support for Malawi’s Health Goals
Dr. Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, WHO Representative for Malawi, reiterated the organization’s commitment to advancing health promotion across the African continent.
“We are proud to stand with Malawi as it champions innovative approaches to public health,” she said. “This conference is a shining example of leadership, vision, and community engagement.”
Global and Local Voices Fuel Groundbreaking Dialogue
Among the keynote speakers were:
Prof. Caroline Williamson Sinalo (University College Cork, Ireland), who spoke on localizing global health strategies.
Simon Sikwese (Pakachere Institute for Health and Development Communication, Malawi), who emphasized community engagement in behavior change campaigns.
Mr. Gitau Mwangi (Quantam Dynamics Ltd, Kenya), who explored how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing health messaging.
In total, 73 abstracts were presented, showcasing research and innovations ranging from nutrition advocacy to digital health interventions.
A Panel for the Future
The conference climaxed with a high-powered panel discussion on the future of health promotion in Malawi. The panelists included:
Prof. Adamson Muula (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences)
Dr. Flemmings Ngwira (Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences – MUBAS)
Mrs. Chimwemwe Mablekisi (National AIDS Commission – NAC)
Dr. Kondwani Mamba (Ministry of Health)
Discussions ranged from the role of policy and legislation in shaping health outcomes to harnessing cultural traditions for effective health education.
“We need to create a national health promotion agenda that is legally binding, locally owned, and globally informed,” said Prof. Muula.
Dr. Mamba emphasized the Ministry’s focus on bridging the gap between research and policy implementation. “Evidence must not sit on shelves—it must live in our communities,” he said.
Partnership and Support
The successful execution of the conference was made possible through key partnerships with UNICEF Malawi, Family Health Services – Malawi, and WaterAid Malawi. Their support ensured broad participation, including representation from marginalized groups often excluded from policy discussions.
The Road Ahead
As the delegates departed, the consensus was clear: Malawi is ready to lead a continental shift in how health promotion is conceptualized, communicated, and delivered.
“We have planted the seed,” Bertha Sato concluded. “Now we must nurture it—through action, innovation, and collective ownership.”
The outcomes of the conference are expected to feed into the development of a national health promotion framework, with clear deliverables and performance indicators.